Since 1974, the Tennessean Travel Stop has been serving travelers in Cornersville. Later this year, it will relaunch as a partnership with Dolly Parton. It will rebrand as Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop this summer, kicking off ambitious plans for reshaping roadside hospitality, according to its website.
“Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stops will be more than a place to refuel — it’s about recharging the spirit,” Danny Nozell, CEO of CTK Enterprises and long-time manager of Parton, said in the announcement on the website. “This project reflects Dolly’s love for her home state and her commitment to supporting local business, community and the travelers who keep America moving.”
The Cornersville spot will serve as the flagship location for the brand, which the team hopes to expand across Tennessee and the Southeast.
“I have spent the bulk of my life on the road, and more specifically on a bus,” Parton said in the announcement on the website. “All the years spent visiting greasy spoon cafes, truck stops and roadside pit stops have given me an understanding of what travelers desire on the road. Whether you are driving a truck, a bus or a car, you want a place that feels like home and recharges you for the rest of your journey. I believe we will fill a void out there on the highways, all while bringing the heart and soul of Tennessee.”
Once renovations are complete, the flagship location will offer a redesigned travel experience with modern amenities, local retail and curated dining. Currently, it serves sandwiches, burgers, steak, fried chicken, ice cream and more.
Further details regarding the rebrand’s design and menu remain unclear at this time. Gregory H. Sachs, chairman and CEO of the Tennessean Travel Stop and Sachs Capital Group, told What Now Nashville that the team is not releasing additional details at this time but will share more in the next few months.
“The Tennessean has long been a ‘home away from home’ for truck drivers, travelers and locals alike. Our roots in this community run deep — we’ve created jobs, built connection and welcomed generations of people through our doors,” Sachs said in the announcement. “This new partnership allows us to carry that legacy forward in a way that celebrates everything special about Tennessee. Together with Dolly and her team, we’re reimagining what a travel stop can be — transforming it into a warm, inviting destination where everyone feels welcome to slow down, kick up their feet and stay awhile.”
